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The 'Impact Player' rule introduced in the 2023 IPL season has sparked widespread debate among cricketers and fans alike.

While some believe it disrupts the traditional balance between bat and ball, others argue it adds a new layer of strategy to the game.

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One of the prominent voices in this discussion is seasoned India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who has expressed his support for the rule, emphasizing its positive impact on the fairness and strategic depth of matches.

How does the 'Impact Player' rule affect the Game?

The 'Impact Player' rule allows teams to substitute a player during their innings based on match conditions, adding a dynamic element to the game.

According to Ashwin, this rule enhances the strategic aspect of cricket. "Why I think the Impact Player rule is not so bad is because it gives a little more value for strategy," Ashwin shared his thoughts on Krishnamachari Srikkanth's YouTube show.

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He believes that the rule doesn’t discourage the development of all-rounders, contrary to the views of other senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

"The other side of that argument is it doesn't encourage all-rounders. But no one is stopping them. In this generation, they don't do it. It's not like they're discouraged because of the Impact Player rule," said Ashwin.

Ashwin points out that players who possess dual skills are still thriving, using Venkatesh Iyer's performance in county cricket as an example.

"Look at Venkatesh Iyer, he's currently rocking for Lancashire. There's an opportunity for innovation and it makes the game fairer," Ashwin added.

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Is the 'Impact Player' rule beneficial for Emerging Players?

Ashwin further supports his stance by highlighting how the rule has provided opportunities for emerging players to showcase their talent.

He also notes that several young players, like Shivam Dube and Dhruv Jurel, have advanced their careers through the opportunities created by this rule. 

"The rule has helped several players advance in their careers, even earning spots in the national team," reckoned Ashwin.

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"Shahbaz Ahmed, Shivam Dube most importantly, Dhruv Jurel… If not for the Impact Player rule, he may have never gotten the chance. So the emergence of a lot of players has happened. I'm not saying that's the only way for players to emerge, but it's not so bad," he said.


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Saurav Goyal is a content producer for The Sporting News’ India edition.